Playing Games Keeps the Brain Young

Did you know… Mental activity prolongs the youthfulness of the brain. People who play games like bridge, Sudoku, chess and board games and do crossword puzzles and other brain teasers tend to ward off dementia longer than those who don’t. The same is true for individuals who engage in other forms of intellectual activity such as reading, listening to the radio, going to lectures, and visiting museums.

The basis for this phenomenon comes from the ongoing stimulation of the hippocampus. It is the part of the brain that is responsible for memory. Playing games increases blood flow to this area and creates new nerve activity. In this manner, the brain stays younger longer.

In the end, mental activity is not only fun but good for you too. Remember the adage, “if you don’t use it, you lose it”… It applies to the aging process. In this context, focus on fun, knowing that playing games and engaging in other intellectual pursuits represent the mental activity that can become a life-extension habit worth developing.